Senior Software Engineer (C++ Linux kernel Security)

Light Partners is seeking a Senior Software Engineer with deep expertise in C++ and Linux kernel security to join a Boston-area quantum networking product OS group. This onsite role centers on hardening the Linux foundation that underpins the platform, reducing exposure to threats, and weaving security into networking, management, and interoperability services. The compensation ranges from USD 150,000 to 200,000 per year, and the role is based onsite in Boston, MA.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and shrink the attack surface across Ubuntu, PetaLinux, and other Linux-based components essential to the platform.
• Design, implement, and maintain a certificate and key management subsystem, including provisioning, secure storage, rotation, and lifecycle controls.
• Explore secure key storage options leveraging hardware-backed technologies such as TPMs, HSMs, PUFs, and related mechanisms.
• Incorporate vulnerability and malware scanning as well as security testing into the development and release workflows.
• Contribute to management and control interfaces built on NETCONF/YANG and related standards.
• Participate in architecture reviews, code reviews, and ongoing technical discussions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science; advanced degrees (MS or PhD) preferred.
• Eight or more years of professional experience delivering robust, enterprise-grade C++ software on Linux-based systems.
• Experience building core OS software as part of a platform team implementing features across networking, management, and interoperability services.
• Strong understanding of PKI, X.509 certificates, and certificate lifecycle management.
• Proven track record designing, implementing, and optimizing security modules within the Linux kernel, with a focus on kernel-space vulnerabilities.

Technologies

• C++
• Linux
• Linux kernel
• NETCONF
• YANG
• TPMs
• HSMs
• PUFs
• Ubuntu
• PetaLinux
• PKI
• X.509

Ability to commute

Boston, MA 02133 (Required)